Welcome. This little part of the web will be my life at Willie's Repair. Not really the day to day work but the other things in life. Projects, past and present, special goings on, info about the automotive world or anything else I care to associate automotive.

Wednesday, October 05, 2005

A mirror removed

One of the cool things about having projects in our shop is it becomes a conversation piece. People who stop in for service will most times become curious and want to look at the cars being restored or customized. A downfall of this is they always like to "see" them with their hands, you know, walking up and touching the car, or leaning against it when they are talking to us. This is usually ok when a project is in it’s beginning stages, as the Edsel is. But over time seeing with your hands can become a problem. In the past it actually created more work for us on the Camaro. People loved to lean against the rear quarter panel. Over time it put a small dent or a pushed in area where the butt was always sitting. No biggy when it is a bad section that is being replaced but when it is a new one ready for paint you have to start being a ass and telling them to get off or stop touching it. Many times I am not around to do this so the rules get broken.

With the Edsel I have even been at fault, leaning on the front fenders talking about the car as someone else is looking at the engine. So, some of the first work I have done is to start taking off all the trim and mirrors that are in danger of being damaged. If you noticed the mirror on the Edsel is on the fender. First thing people love to play with so I have removed it and boxed it up safe and sound.

So, that is the progress report. We’ve taken a mirror and some trim off so it won’t be damaged. I won’t start biting peoples heads off yet, but when it gets real busy on the car I may have to rope it off. That or get a ruler out and smack hands like my first grade teacher did.

So, mental note, whenever you want to see a car, really, just see it, please, don’t make it the family couch. Does that make me a prick? I don’t know, maybe sometimes I come off harsh but I mean well, for the cars sake :)